John Deere 40s - Radiator: Leak + cleaning.

So the radiator sprung a leak...

Looks like it come out of a downed airplane...


Small leak on the bottom of the tank where it rubbed on the mounting bracket:


Judging by the wear mark on the bracket this thing has been rubbing for a loooong time - just my luck that it started leaking soon after I got it.


I flushed the whole system with the garden hose and A LOT of crap came out. Is there some chemical or something I can use to clean out the system better? I'll solder the leak and try to straighten some of those fins before I put it back.

What is this thingy on top of the radiator? Is it just an overflow? Is there supposed to be any pressure in the radiator at all when it's hot or can it breathe freely?

There has got to be a better one laying in a junk yard somewhere ? I'd try and find it instead of installing that one.

"<font color="#6699ff">[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]What is this thingy on top of the radiator? Is it just an overflow?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

Yes, it is an overflow.

"<font color="#6699ff">[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Is there supposed to be any pressure in the radiator at all when it's hot or can it breathe freely?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

No, there is no pressure in the radiator.

Reviewed the [b:654c4848f0]SERVICE MANUAL SM-2013 JOHN DEERE 40 SERIES TRACTORS & CRAWLERS[/b:654c4848f0] under [b:654c4848f0]SECTION 90 COOLING SYSTEM[/b:654c4848f0] in the [b:654c4848f0]GROUP 5 DESCRIPTION AND SERVICING[/b:654c4848f0] heading [b:654c4848f0]DESCRIPTION[/b:654c4848f0] topic on page 90-5-1.

"[i:654c4848f0]Model ?40? Series Tractors utilize the ?thermosiphon? method method of cooling (Figure 90-5-1) which works by gravity. Since hot water is lighter than cold water, the water heated by the engine rises and is displaced by heavier cold water from the bottom of engine and radiator. Thus, continuous circulation is created from top of engine to top of radiator, through radiator, and back to bottom of engine. Circulation is assisted by minute steam bubbles which form in the water and rise to the surface, creating a turbulence which hastens circulation.

The thermosiphon system is a simple and efficient method of cooling because it dispenses with thermostats, pumps, and other mechanical means of circulating or regulating temperature of the water. Rate of circulation is independent of engine speed, being governed only by heat supplied to water jacket of engine. In addition, it allows pistons and cylinders to attain an operating temperature rapidly without their being over-cooled under part-load operation.[/i:654c4848f0]?

Take a look at Figure 90-5-1 below.



The recommended cooling system capacity is 3 1/2 gallons.

Hope this helps.

I can't get my mind around your third picture, but I think the black deteriorated piece on the right is a mounting pad? Those pads are available, possibly from this website, certainly from other aftermarket sites.

"<font color="#6699ff">[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]I think the black deteriorated piece on the right is a mounting pad?[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

Agree.

Take a look at the photos below.

Nice job James!

I admire your library of assembly/repair pictures and your willingness to share them with the rest of us.

Paul

Thanks.

Taking photos of refurbish/repairs helps me with maintaining our other same/similar model tractors.

(quoted from post at 16:10:17 01/17/17) There has got to be a better one laying in a junk yard somewhere ? I'd try and find it instead of installing that one.

Click to expand...

I agree... it's in a terrible state. Not sure how you get a radiator to look like that in the first place :shock: A replacement will unfortunately not be easy to come by. I'm keeping my eyes and ears open, but I am yet to find anything for this tractor... In the meantime I'll have to make the best of it. Luckily it works, and it's mostly out of sight when installed :roll:

(quoted from post at 17:32:43 01/17/17) I can't get my mind around your third picture, but I think the black deteriorated piece on the right is a mounting pad? Those pads are available, possibly from this website, certainly from other aftermarket sites.

Click to expand...

I took another picture for you and marked it up for clarity:
Yip, those are the remains of the mounting pads and exactly the reason why the radiator is now leaking.

(quoted from post at 18:39:12 01/17/17) Nice job James!

I admire your library of assembly/repair pictures and your willingness to share them with the rest of us.
Paul

Click to expand...

People's willingness to share their knowledge and interact with others is exactly what makes this hobby a pleasure - and this forum a success!

(quoted from post at 17:17:13 01/17/17)
Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

100%!!

New radiators are available for about $300 on line. I bought one several years ago and it has worked out for me. That one looks like you will be fixing and refixing it forever.
CPeter

If the one for a late 320 slant steer is the same, I have one sitting in the basement at the farm house.
I replaced it because the lower outlet has a decent sized chip out of it. The core looks much better than yours, I think. If you want I can take some pictures and post them here or email them to you.
My email is jd2cylman at mchsi dot com
Adrian

(quoted from post at 03:45:31 01/19/17) New radiators are available for about $300 on line. I bought one several years ago and it has worked out for me. That one looks like you will be fixing and refixing it forever.
CPeter

Click to expand...

Hi CPeter. I did investigate the option of getting a new one, but the shipping charge and exchange rate kills it for me. New radiator is $300+ and shipping is about the same amount. Let's round it to $600 x 13 Rand 54 Cents for a US$ = R8,124.00 + tax and handling. It will work out to roughly R9,500.00 before I can take it home with me. To put that in some perspective, I paid R10,000.00 for the tractor...

This is unfortunately my situation with all the parts - it's pure torture for me to see how freely parts are available in the US!! As with my Lister 6/1 rebuild, I'll be making most of the parts myself and fixing things otherwise considered junk :shock: The British pound is even worse @ R16.69!!

Imports will be limited to the bare essentials - some things are just not possible to replace otherwise.

The thought just crossed my mind that I should maybe take the radiator to the radiator repair shop at some point. Maybe they can panel beat the tanks and fit a new core?

Sorry, I did not notice where you are located. I guess you will have to fix what you have.
Peter

Yep, didn't see where he's from. That's a pity. Mine is would work perfect for him. So, let's see. If I sold it to him for half, that's a start. No tax from me, that should help a little. Shipping. Aye, there's the rub... How to economically get that bugger across a BIG pond???

Adrian

Let's try again... Pics of my radiator. I hope...

I soldered the leak, straightened the fins and it came out quite okay



All fixed up:

....but alas... yet another leak - as predicted. (This time in the core)
I'll give it another go but it looks like a lost case.

(quoted from post at 03:36:01 01/20/17)
Yep, didn't see where he's from. That's a pity. Mine is would work perfect for him. So, let's see. If I sold it to him for half, that's a start. No tax from me, that should help a little. Shipping. Aye, there's the rub... How to economically get that bugger across a BIG pond???
Adrian

Click to expand...

It might work if there is an option for suface mail. Not sure if thats even possible?

Some feedback for everyone that offered to help me out:
The radiator sprung the one leak after the other and soon enough water was leaking out faster than what I could put fresh water in!

Some of the inner tubes also started leaking, and that becomes problematic to repair. I was forced to take it in to a radiator service station, and they confirmed that the core was beyond repair. I was happy to hear that it was no problem to get it re-cored. It was quite expensive, but comparing the cost to the import options it felt like a bargain! :lol:

When I got my new one, it was an A&amp;I product and was made is Eastern European country like Austria or Hungary. If you are going to pay shipping, maybe you could pay from there?

There is a John Deere parts warehouse in SA. Did you try JD?
https://www.deere.com/en_CAF/our_company/news_and_media/press_releases/2012/may.page

(quoted from post at 00:36:55 03/08/17) When I got my new one, it was an A&amp;I product and was made is Eastern European country like Austria or Hungary. If you are going to pay shipping, maybe you could pay from there?

There is a John Deere parts warehouse in SA. Did you try JD?
https://www.deere.com/en_CAF/our_company/news_and_media/press_releases/2012/may.page

Click to expand...

Hi CPeter.
Thank for the hint. I never even thought of going to JD for parts. I was very pleased to find out that some parts are still available through the dealer. Just try to get parts from the dealer for a 63 year old car!!